The Parthian kings were called brothers of the sun and moon, hence the star and crescent on their coins. The royal wart was the sign of true membership in the Arsakid family and was used at least as early as the time of Orodes II to establish legitimacy to the king’s claim to the throne. In modern terminology it is called a tricoepithelioma, a hereditary lesion on the forehead, known to be passed on for as long as one hundred years. In the Arsakid family, according to tradition, it lasted throughout the dynasty, almost five hundred years. It is probable, however, that the later kings’ claim to the royal wart was counterfeit, with the lesion on later tetradrachms replaced by a lock of hair.
Kontakt 
![57-38 BC., Ecbatana in Parthia, Arsacid Kingdom, Orodes II., AR Drachm, Sellwood 48.9.
The Arsacid Kingdom of Parthia, Orodes II., Ecbatana mint, 57-38 BC.,
AR Drachm (17-20 mm / 3.97 g).
Obv.: diademed bust left, wart on forehead, neck torque ends in sea horse; star before, crescent above star behind.
Rev. above: BAΣIΛEΩΣ / BAΣIΛEΩN ; on r.: AP-ΣAKOY ; in ex.: EYEPΓETOY / ΔIKAIOY ; on l.: EΠIΦANOYΣ / [Φ]IΛEΛΛHNO[Σ] , archer (Arsakes I) seated right on throne, holding bow; anchor behind, AΓ T (Ecbatana) monogram below bow.
Sellwood 48.9; Shore 261; BMC Parthia pg. 90, 185 (Orodes I) ; Sear GC 7445 .
The Parthian kings were called brothers of the sun and moon, hence the star and crescent on their coins. The royal wart was the sign of true membership in the Arsakid family and was used at least as early as the time of Orodes II to establish legitimacy to the king’s claim to the throne. In modern terminology it is called a tricoepithelioma, a hereditary lesion on the forehead, known to be passed on for as long as one hundred years. In the Arsakid family, according to tradition, it lasted throughout the dynasty, almost five hundred years. It is probable, however, that the later kings’ claim to the royal wart was counterfeit, with the lesion on later tetradrachms replaced by a lock of hair.
Schlüsselwörter: Arsacid Kingdom Parthia Orodes Ecbatana Drachm Star Crescent Archer](images/image.gif?id=1282717261745 "57-38 BC., Ecbatana in Parthia, Arsacid Kingdom, Orodes II., AR Drachm, Sellwood 48.9.
The Arsacid Kingdom of Parthia, Orodes II., Ecbatana mint, 57-38 BC.,
AR Drachm (17-20 mm / 3.97 g).
Obv.: diademed bust left, wart on forehead, neck torque ends in sea horse; star before, crescent above star behind.
Rev. above: BAΣIΛEΩΣ / BAΣIΛEΩN ; on r.: AP-ΣAKOY ; in ex.: EYEPΓETOY / ΔIKAIOY ; on l.: EΠIΦANOYΣ / [Φ]IΛEΛΛHNO[Σ] , archer (Arsakes I) seated right on throne, holding bow; anchor behind, AΓ T (Ecbatana) monogram below bow.
Sellwood 48.9; Shore 261; BMC Parthia pg. 90, 185 (Orodes I) ; Sear GC 7445 .
The Parthian kings were called brothers of the sun and moon, hence the star and crescent on their coins. The royal wart was the sign of true membership in the Arsakid family and was used at least as early as the time of Orodes II to establish legitimacy to the king’s claim to the throne. In modern terminology it is called a tricoepithelioma, a hereditary lesion on the forehead, known to be passed on for as long as one hundred years. In the Arsakid family, according to tradition, it lasted throughout the dynasty, almost five hundred years. It is probable, however, that the later kings’ claim to the royal wart was counterfeit, with the lesion on later tetradrachms replaced by a lock of hair.
Schlüsselwörter: Arsacid Kingdom Parthia Orodes Ecbatana Drachm Star Crescent Archer")